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October 5-2521 Days of Prayer
and Fasting
21 DAYS OF PRAYER, FASTING, AND BIBLE READING
A New Beginning, A Fresh Start, A Holy Consecration
Consecration means the solemn act or ceremony of setting ourselves apart from common secular use and dedicating ourselves permanently to the sacred service and worship of Almighty God.
On Sunday, September 27, I addressed our congregation in my message with these words,
“And today I am asking the Lord for a new beginning, a fresh start, a
holy consecration. A fresh love for God, a fresh anointing for our
church, a renewed desire to pray and to seek the Lord while He may
be found. (Isaiah 55:6-13) I want to see each person in this church
grow. I want us to renew our commitment to connecting to God and to
each other. I want to see a renewed commitment to the key elements
of our church's mission: Reach, Grow, Equip, and Serve. I am
believing the Lord for this to happen in our lives.”
This time of fasting is between you and the Lord, so with that in mind:
What do we fast? How long do we fast? What do we do while we are fasting?
❋ WHAT DO WE FAST?a. There are full fasts, where you only drink water.
b. There are partial fasts, where you fast certain foods, like the Danial fast, where people normally fast from dairy, meat, and sweets. For those with dietary issues: Fast distractions: Social media, television, YouTube, etc.
c. There are sun-up-to-sun-down fasts. You eat before the sun comes up and again when the sun goes down.
d. There are fasts when you fast a meal a day or two meals a day.
This is a good opportunity to ask the Lord what kind of fast He wants you to do. He will answer, I believe that.
❋ HOW LONG DO WE FAST?a. I mentioned on Sunday, you have two options: Oct 5–11 or the full 21 days, as the Lord leads. Either way, please join in the Scripture reading and prayer every day.
b. Again, ask the Lord what He would want you to do.
Note: We do have our Church Picnic on Saturday, October 24 at Wills Park! We want everyone to come! This was already on the schedule, so please allow the
Lord to lead you in what to do on that day!
❋ WHAT DO WE DO WHILE WE ARE FASTING?Fasting in the Word of God emphasizes that it is not simply going without food but setting something aside so you can seek God more intentionally. When we would normally eat, set that aside to seek the Lord. Fasting is not primarily about what you give up; it is about making room to pursue God.
The following is adapted from Pastor Jentzen Franklin’s teaching on Fasting:
Fasting should be combined with prayer. Without prayer and seeking God, fasting can become little more than dieting. The purpose is greater spiritual focus.
Fasting puts God first. Fasting expresses our dependence on God and shifts our focus back toward Him.
Fasting creates spiritual hunger. Physical hunger reminds us to turn our attention toward God: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…” (Matthew 5:6).
Fasting helps bring the flesh under submission. It says that physical appetites will not control your spiritual life. Paul expresses a related principle in 1 Corinthians 9:27: “I discipline my body and keep it under control…”
Fasting can accompany seasons of breakthrough and direction. Scripture repeatedly shows people fasting when seeking God’s intervention, wisdom, protection, or direction—Ezra 8:21–23; Esther 4:16; Acts 13:2–3.
Fasting should be God-centered, not performance-centered. Jesus warned against fasting to impress people (Matthew 6:16–18). The goal is intimacy with God, not recognition from others.
Different kinds and lengths of fasts can be biblical. Scripture includes complete fasts, partial fasts such as Daniel’s restricted diet, individual fasts, and corporate fasts. Length matters less than obedience and purpose.
Fasting and prayer prepare us to hear and respond to God. Acts 13:2–3 is especially significant: while the believers were worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit directed them concerning Barnabas and Saul.